6 Curling iron mistakes you might be making

/ 09.18.2014

Avoid these mistakes to get the curls you want!

As with any heat styling technique, there is a knack to using a curling iron. There are also a whole bunch of things you shouldn't be doing if you want to achieve those perfect waves you've been dreaming about.

If you feel like curling your hair is an uphill struggle, read all about the top mistakes you could be making below, so you can avoid them next time around!

No preparation

We don't mean to nag, but applying a styling spray with a thermal protectant is essential when curling your hair. Not only will it protect against heat damage, it will also make the whole styling process a lot easier. Try something like L'Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle SLEEK IT Iron Straight Heatspray and see if you notice a difference!

Curling inward

For natural-looking movement, you want to curl away from your face. This means curling anti-clockwise on the left side of your face, and clockwise on the right.

The wrong temperature

Heat tools can often produce ridiculously high temps, but that doesn't mean you actually need to use them. For fine hair, stick to lower heat settings, and ramp it up a little for thicker, coarser locks. Whatever you do, don't go beyond 360° as you risk frying your tresses!

Clamping your ends

Clipping your ends into the iron can cause a crimped look, and damage your hair. Instead, hold the iron so it's pointing toward the floor, then wind your hair around it, wrapping the ends on last. You may also want to invest in a curling wand sans clamp for the most natural-looking finish.

Curling too much hair at once

If your curls don't tend to come out so bouncy, it may be because you're curling pieces of hair that are too big. This stops the heat from distributing evenly and therefor won't curl your hair properly.

Believing that size doesn't matter

Curling irons differ depending on the results you want. For ringlets, you should be using a 1" barrel or smaller, and to get bigger curls, a 1 1/2" wand is the one you need.